Invitation Letter - Critique SVP

[gillespiedc]

Ordinarily, I wouldn't bother with something like this. However, we have decided to go for a TRV for my wife and step-daughter so they will jion me in Canada from the start. We have our 6 month budget laid out and all the other documents prepared, and we are going to tell immigration that our intention is to apply for permanent resident status for them. Hellen acually spoke to her GM at work today and told him the plan and he is also going to provide a letter to the effect that if things don't work out, they are happy to have her come back and apply to the company again.

Anyway, given that we intend to apply to extend after this 6 month visa, can anyone tell me if this letter is saying enough? Too much? Thanks in advance!

To Hou Yan (Hellen),
Dear Hellen,

We have been married happily now for more than two years, and have had a good life together with Kelly here in Zhuhai. It is now my desire that all three of us go to Canada and continue our life there permanently.

What I am asking of you is a serious matter. You will need to resign from your job here in Zhuhai, and inform Number 10 Primary School that Kelly will study in Canada beginning next year. I am now in the process of communicating both with the Public School Board, Private Schools, and International Schools in Canada to determine the course of Kelly’s education.

I promise to continue being a good husband to you, and step-father to Kelly by supporting you both financially, and also by being there for your moral support and guidance.

When we arrive in Canada we have been invited to reside with my brother, Jim, until we find a place of our own. My older brother, Rick, has also expressed that he is there to help if we need a hand getting started.

We should only need to stay with Jim for a few weeks, as I have already been looking at apartments through the Internet, and there are a lot of places to choose from. Once you arrive we will begin our search together, and get settled in.

As we find a place to live, and I secure a new job, we will also apply for permanent residency for you and for Kelly. This process could take a long time so please be patient, and understand that if for any reason you or Kelly cannot get permanent residency in Canada, or cannot extend your temporary visas and have to return to China, that I will come back with you.

With Love and Sincerity,

Your Husband,

 

[canadianwoman]

For a TRV the applicant has to prove he or she will leave Canada. This letter is proving the opposite. Your wife quitting her job and the child leaving her school show that they are planning to leave China permanently. Keep the job, keep the child enrolled in school, and get evidence that your wife is just on a vacation from her work, and that the child is expected back at her school.
The last part, about how you are willing to return to China with them if they can't extend their TRV, is good.
Most of the letter would be good evidence for your plans to reestablish in Canada, which you need to prove if you apply for a PR for your wife and stepdaughter.

 

[steaky]

Canadianwoman is right. Furthermore, your wife should instead get a letter from her employer granting a leave of absence, and including the following information: her name, position, current salary and confirmation of the dates of that leave of absence. This letter must include her employer's name and address in Chinese characters, as well as the telephone and fax number(s).

 

[gillespiedc]

A few weeks ago the plan was to go in and get a letter from the school and the employer stating they were in good standing and going to return. We would then go get the TRV, then Hellen would give notice at work and school. Just thinking about this had the hair on the back of my neck standing up! I think it was because it felt mis-leading. So this is the reason I have approached it this way.

I can downplay the parts about residing there and focus more on our intention of using the whole six months on the visa. Please, if there are more suggestions on how to handle this I am totally open, but I do feel strongly that I must not mis-lead in any way.

By the way (and this won't necessarily go into the letter or on the app), Hellens contract with her job was going to end in 7 months anyway, and she was likely not going to stay on with that company because the office is moving. She was already starting to look around at other opportunities.

 

[steaky]

I think you can also try Beijing. All you need is to have another residence in other parts of PRC.

As in our case, we mainly lived in Jiangsu Province in mainland China except the winter months. In winter, we fly south to HK which had been our winter home. For convenience, we chose the visa office in HK instead of Beijing.

 

[canadianwoman]

I really don't think they are going to get TRVs if there is any hint at all in the application that they are planning to stay in Canada permanently. Even with proof that your wife will be returning to her job and the child to her school it would be iffy. Now if the child were to stay in China with relatives, and the wife keep her job but get a leave of absence, then yes, the wife would probably get a TRV.

Also, until they actually get the TRV, your wife shouldn't quit her job and the child shouldn't leave her school. TRVs are not that easy to get.

 

[chelley]

am i mis-remembering? doesnt the OP's wife already have a valid, multi entry TRV or at least been approved in the past?

if so, outlook is much better if original application is duplicated as close to possible and previous trip is mentioned

 

[canadianwoman]

Yeah, I checked his first post - his wife and child went with him to Canada for a month last year on a TRV. If they got one then, they should be able to get another - since returning from the first shows the visa officer they can be trusted.

But... what kind of proof did you include on those TRV applications to prove they would come back to China? If it was the wife's job and the child's school, I think you're going to have to use the same evidence this time.

 

[gillespiedc]

Yes Canadian Woman, the job and school issue are what's freaking me out this time, but we do have substantial positives such as the visa last year. Hellen owns her apartment here (outright, no mortgage) and has the ability to get another job here without difficulty. We talked to the school today, and they told us that even if Kelly does not return in September, her name will remain on the school register until such a time that we produce a permanent Canadian ID for her. We are getting a stamped letter to that effect tomorrow.

Bottom line is that even though I don't want them to get refused, we must be nothing less than clearly honest about our intentions. If we say one thing and do another that will wipe out any credibility we have gained.

Here is an excellent link I stumbled across in regard to "dual intent" and the flexibility granted to immigration officers. Maybe someone here is more familiar with the legislation and can comment.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english//resources/manuals/op/op11-eng.pdf (go to page 7)

As always, your cander is greatly appreciated!

 

[gillespiedc]

With feedback here and additional input from other sites I have revised my invitation.... I know these are long and boring reads, but I would appreciate knowing if we are heading down a better, clearer path... Thanks! Also note that things like addresses and ID numbers have been removed from this copy for privacy reasons.

To Hou Yan (Hellen),
Dear Hellen,

We have been married happily now for more than two years, and have had a good life together with Kelly here in Zhuhai, China. Last year we visited Canada, my family, and friends for a few weeks, and it was very good. This year I would like you and Kelly to come to Canada for the full duration of the visitor visa so you can get to know my family and my home country better.

When we get to Canada we will apply to Canada Immigration for permanent residence, and if they accept our application we may also have to request an extension of your temporary visas during the process. If we decide instead that we want to return to Zhuhai, China, or if the Government of Canada denies permanent residence or an extension, we will return to Zhuhai, China before the visitor visa expires. Alternatively, I might remain in Canada if it would improve our situation, and chances for future permanent residency for you and Kelly.

Please inform your employer, Rossini Watch Manufacturing Company, and arrange a leave of absence. You also need to inform Number 10 Primary School that Kelly will home-school in Canada, and arrange to get the grade 5 books Kelly will need for the September term. I am also in the process of finding information about the possibility of enrolling Kelly within the Public School system, a Private School, or an International School in Canada. We will also refrain from leasing out your home for the duration of the temporary visa. Instead, you might ask your mother or your neighbour to watch over the apartment while we are away. This will ensure a place to live should we or you have to return to Zhuhai.

When we arrive in Canada we have been invited to live with my brother, Jim Gillespie, for as long as we wish. My older brother, Rick Gillespie, and sister, Joanne Bell, have also extended invitations to us.

With Love
Your Husband,

Douglas Gillespie

 

[lands]

If you make any note about applying for a PR they will deny the VISA. Why? If for some reason you do not get your PR , CIC will be very limited with what they can do to send your family back to China. Thefore they will deny it and ask you to apply for PR....

 

[gillespiedc]

Hi Lands,

Based on what I have seen in other threads I don't doubt what you are saying. Today I am going to call both Guangzhou and Beijing and talk more about this issue. I believe that in our particular situation at this time, we cannot apply for PR as we are not financially set up in Canada yet. We have assets, savings, and jobs here in China but when we go to Canada it's going to be a 'square one' (well, maybe 'square two') situation.

I will heed the words you and the other responders have said, however, I do not believe it is in our best interest not to disclose dual intent. The document OP11, (5.4) seems pretty clear that officers will take into consideration legitimate dual intent, as long as the bona fide intent is as a TR, and the limitations of the visa will be respected.

In reality, we are prepared for any contingency... including having the TRV denied. So thank you again to all who have provided this valuable feedback. I believe it has helped us to clarify our approach. We still welcome further input on refining the invitation letter to be even more clear that we intend to obey the immigration laws of Canada.

One more revision to the letter, the final paragraph was intended to show means of living while in Canada for 6 months. It was definitely too thin as written above so I have added to it with more details... here is the last paragraph revised...


"When we arrive in Canada we have been invited to live with my brother, Jim Gillespie, for as long as we wish. My older brother, Rick Gillespie, and sister, Joanne Bell, have also extended invitations to us. During your stay in Canada, we will set aside and budget approximately CDN2000 per month for living expenses from our accounts and resources here in China. We will also keep in reserve, funds for your return flights to Zhuhai upon the end of your authorized stay in Canada."

 

[lands]

Maybe get letters from the people you will be staying with...it might help confirm what you are saying...

Good luck with your TRV

 

[iarblue]

The best thing you likely can do is when applying for your TRV stress to them that you understand the law,and you are going to apply for a TRV and if the PR is not processed by the five moth time you are aware you have to apply for an extension and if refused she will have to return to China to wait out the PR approval.
Once you get to Canada start loking for a place get some information for leases and jobs to show your trying to re establish yourself into Canada.
But the outland in bejing will be much faster than the inland here in Canada as 80% of the cases in china are processed in 5 months.So you may be way better to apply outland in china and will likely be approved way before you ever would in an inland app.
Others may confirm this.
Then when you apply outland just supply the letter from your brother staing that you are welcome to stay with him until you get a job and an appartment to get yourself set up.to prove your re establishment into Canada.
Best of luck

 

[gillespiedc]

Awesome Lands... got the email from my sis and hope to have from my brothers by morning!

We have also re-written the letters from Hellens work and Kellys school to emphasise "visit" within the text.

I've said before, but will say it again... this forum (and those within) is incredible! Never have I experienced such helpfulness, understanding, and willingness to help. I know that even after we finish our process, we will continue to be a part of this group.

Cheers!